Worldwide Pentecost
The Pentecostal Church of Corinth (54 A.D)
The Apostolic Church in Corinth was founded by Paul.
"After these things Paul departed
from Athens and went to Corinth. Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed
on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed
and were baptized."Acts 18: 1-11
There Paul- like everywhere else- taught the "full gospel".
He spoke of repentance, salvation through faith in the sacrifice of the cross,
holiness, He also talked about the baptism in water, and the baptism with the Holy
Spirit, the power from on high that constitutes the entrance to a Charismatic life
and experience.He especially emphasized the fact that each congregation is a divine
foundation which has a mission and work that nowhere else can be found.
It offers the Word of God, because it is the guardian and preserver of truth(
1 Tim. 3, 15 ).It is a place of worship and communication with Jesus, especially
this communication is what is mostly unique. The apostolic church has prophets,
speaking in tongues, interpretation, revelation, healing, visions e.t.c. Many dogmas
have nice music and choirs, nice brotherhood and profound preachers but to be in
the presence of God, like what happens in each genuine apostolic church is something
totally different.
About five years later the Corinthians wrote to their
spiritual father asking among many other things, for clarifications about the proper
use of gifts in the church. The first Epistle to the Corinthians was his answer
to them. Since then it is a unique constitution for every congregation that shares
a charismatic life. "Now concerning
spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant.".
There are nine gifts (3), he explained, all of
them having their own value.Speaking in tongues, which was underestimated so much
in the past and even today it is despised by many, should be reconsidered from the
angle of Paul's advice "I wish you all speak with tongues" because
"those members of the body which seem tobe weaker are necessary."
In conclusion he made a correlation between love and gifts thus composing an excellent
"hymn to love" as the spirit gave him to.
Apostle Paul did not say, like some people deliberately misinterpret, that because
love is "above all" there is no need for prophecy or speaking in tongues, On the
contrary he pointed out that there is a great danger that all these gifts may exist
without love.
"Though I speak with tongues
of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging
cymbal." 1 Corinthians 13: 1
The gifts must lead and work
"in love". "Pursue love and
desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy."1 Corinthians
14:1
"Therefore brethren, desire
earnestly to prophesy, and not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done
decently and in order".1 Corinthians 14:39-40
(3)
| 1. |
Word of Wisdom: |
Supernatural revelation of the Word of God and His divine plan. |
| 2. |
Word of knowledge: |
Supernatural revelation of facts and events. |
| 3. |
Gift of Healing. |
|
| 4. |
Faith: |
Supernatural acceptance of the "impossible". |
| 5. |
Working of miracles: |
A miracle above the natural laws. |
| 6. |
Prophecy: |
A message in a comprehensible language coming directly from the throne
of God . |
| 7. |
Different kinds of tongues: |
A message,prayer or glorification in an unknown language . |
| 8. |
Interpretation of tongues. |
|
| 9. |
Discerning of spirits: |
Discerning of which spirit every man is filled with as well as recognition
of the presence of demonic powers. |